Cowboy Bebop and all its contents are the copyright of Shinichiro Watanabe and Bandai.
Cowboy Bebop: Live and Learn
Episode 35: Trekking the Stars
" Space flights are merely an escape, a fleeing away from oneself, because it is easier to go to Mars or to the moon than it is to penetrate one's own being."
Part 1
" Spike, you okay over there?" Jet hollered, fastening two cables together with a wrench.
" … never better." Came the muffled reply from somewhere deep within a mass of wire and cables to his left.
" You see anything else that needs attention?" He shouted over the electrical hum of the Bebop's motherboard, idly wondering whether-or-not it was possible to suffer heat exhaustion by being too close to the electrical circuits.
" There you are!" Faye exclaimed, staring down at him. Jet glanced up to see her pouting, both hands on her hips.
" On my way back I saw damage all over the Bebop! When I came inside to find out what happened I couldn't find you guys anywhere!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. " And there's some weirdo handcuffed to the wall in the rec room. He keeps ogling me." She announced.
" Yeah." Jet sighed, unfazed by her show of discontent. " He's our bounty. We finally caught him but not before he rammed into us a couple times trying to get away."
Faye sank to her knees and stuck her head through the open grate in the floor, her hair falling down and obscuring her face. " What are you guys doing down there anyway?" She asked, blinking owlishly.
Jet looked back in Spike's general direction. " Me and Spike discovered some malfunctions with the motherboard and we're trying to find everything that got burned out during the collisions."
" But the hits were outside." Faye replied, confused.
" Yeah but everything on the outside is connected to something on the inside, Faye. We have to be sure the damage isn't serious. Otherwise we could lose control of the ship."
" oh…" Came her bewildered reply.
" I think we're okay for now!" Came Spike's voice from somewhere within the mass of wires and cables.
They swayed and shifted. And in the blue light of the motherboard's inner workings, the cables seemed to take on the form of a massive, writhing creature. Faye thought their form was reminiscent of a sea monster she had once seen in an old movie long ago. She blinked in surprise by the sudden memory.
And then she remembered more: a living room with two friends sitting on the floor beside her, popcorn in a bowl, and all the lights turned off. She remembered how they squealed at the monster on the TV and laughed at each other.
" Hey Faye!" Jet frowned at her with concern.
She blinked at him. " Hm? what?"
" You okay? I was asking if you could turn on the power to the environment controls but I don't think you heard me." He explained.
" Oh." And she sat back on her heels, pulling herself right-side-up a bit too fast. For a moment she felt a rush of vertigo and had to close her eyes to keep from tipping over and scaring Jet for real.
" It should be the switch just under the communications control panel." He directed. " Right above the three blue buttons." He hastily added, suddenly remembering that Faye hated technical words and complicated directions.
Inspecting the many buttons and switches Faye soon found the one he was talking about and flicked it on. Under the floor the electrical hum suddenly swelled and a brief shower of blue sparks exploded at the far end of the command deck.
" Yeow!!"
" Spike! You okay?" Jet hollered. Faye dropped down to her knees again, looking through the hole curiously.
A moment later Spike squirmed his way out of the cables and plopped down on the lower grates. Faye smirked. Spike's hair was standing up on end. And as he accepted Jet's offered hand both men were startled by a sudden flash of static electricity.
" You two are… h-hilarious!!" Faye howled in laughter.
And they stared up at her, miffed, as she doubled over with teary eyes. But it was Spike who recovered first and reached up to tag her with a healthy dose of static before she could back away.
" Hey!" She yelped.
Jet chuckled. " Better watch it Faye."
Spike smirked. " Hey, why don't you come closer and offer us a hand up?" He teased.
Faye stepped away, vanishing from view.
" So you found something, huh?" Jet continued, staring with amusement at Spike's statically charged hair.
" Yup. Couple more cables just burnt out when she flipped the switch. And the O2 connectors are gonna need new parts."
Jet sighed. " Great. Well… I guess that means its time to visit the bargain shops."
" Or the junk yard." Spike added, hefting himself up and out. He wiped off his hands on either side of his pants while Jet climbed out a moment later.
" Could be worse, though." Spike reasoned.
" Yeah. There's always that." Jet agreed and headed for the stairs. " But don't say it too loud or we might actually end up with something worse."
" Hey!" Spike lifted up his hands defensively. " I admit my luck could be better but it's not that bad."
" I'm just saying." Jet smirked as he stepped into the common room.
Faye sat on the couch filing her nails and looked up at them.
Spike glanced at their bounty, catching him staring at Faye.
" Since I'm going to be picking up parts anyway I might as well get replacements for your ship too." Jet continued.
" Need help?" Spike asked.
" Naw. Better that you stay here and keep an eye on Bebop." Jet replied, pulling off a rag that rested over his shoulder and wiped his hands free of grease. " Things should be okay but just in case, I'd rather you were here to make sure she stays on track. I need to refuel Hammerhead and the prices on Venus are ridiculous. I'd rather refuel at one of the rest stops on our way back to Mars."
Spike nodded towards their bounty. " And him?"
" I'll take him with me and drop him off at ISSP headquarters on my way into town."
" Sounds good."
Faye listened with bored interest at their exchange and sighed, switching to the nails of her other hand.
The bounty stared at them, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
Space had a way of making everything in life seem insignificant. And Spike was never one to reflect on the deeper meaning of things. But lately he caught himself doing so.
Finishing off his daily routine with one last kick he released a tired breath and wiped his brow with a towel he snatched up and draped around his neck. The Bebop was quiet and peaceful and he wandered over to the windows to stare out at the impressive white-yellow mass that was Venus. It was a beautiful sight and he closed his eyes with a sigh.
" We could run away… start a new life." A past memory, an offer he had once given resurfaced in his mind.
Julia smiled sadly. She turned to look out the window, her face held in a wistful expression. " It would be nice if we could." She admitted after a few moments.
Spike stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. " We could go anywhere. Be anyone we wanted. What do you think? Where would you want to go?"
She thought on that for a time, feeling the fingers of his hand weave through her hair. " To the Morning Star." She finally answered.
" A star?" He asked, perplexed.
" A planet. Venus, actually."
" Morning Star, huh?" Spike smiled softly and he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
" Do you… do you really think its possible for us?" She asked him after a moment and turned to meet his gaze.
He studied her trying to understand why she would ask him such a question. But at length her nearness undid him and he captured her lips with his own, pressing her to himself in a passionate embrace.
Spike sighed and turned away from the window. Those memories were better left forgotten. And he tried to ignore the sudden heaviness in his heart, realizing at the same moment that he had never traveled with her to Venus.
She should have been here with me. He told himself miserably and plopped down into the captain seat, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stem back an oncoming headache.
Life was strange. Unfair even. Only a few years later and here he was finally traveling to Venus for the second time, but not with the woman he had always dreamed of. And his thoughts invariably turned to Faye. A flashback of her pleading eyes on the fateful day he confronted Vicious struck him hard.
" You told me once to forget the past cause it doesn't matter. But you're the one still tied to the past, Spike!"
As he stared into her eyes he had seen her heart, if only for a few moments. She had chosen to be vulnerable. And for the first time in a long time, he felt loved. He felt… like he finally belonged.
It was a feeling that was completely foreign to him. Love had always been the same as lust for power, sex, or money. It didn't matter before. But now… he knew better. Now he understood. Julia was a victim. And he'd be damned to let Vicious have more.
Spike swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nauseated. The memories were all coming back now and he shot to his feet, gripping the edge of the control panel to steady himself.
The sharp, burning pain he felt was momentarily overshadowed by the shock of victory. Vicious… his eyes… Spike knew they would always haunt him. And then his body ached everywhere all at once. The pain was enough to overwhelm him but he didn't want to die there… beside Vicious. So he started down the stairs, wrapping his arms tight around his middle, not wanting to spill his guts out in front of the bystanders. Good-for-nothing goons that were only capable of catching flies with their gaping mouths apparently.
Julia… his thoughts were on her again. And then he remembered the Bebop. And he felt himself smile. Safe… they were safe now. He raised his hand and pointed to his captive audience.
" Bang." And in the next moment he collapsed.
But he was surprised to still feel pain! He was only partially aware of hands turning him over and lifting him off the stairs. He was hot and cold at the same time and he wanted them to just leave him be. But he couldn't find strength to even move his tongue.
Spike swallowed hard, one hand automatically pressing against his midriff in remembrance. And he blinked a few times to clear his vision. He was sweating heavily and wiped his face with a corner of his towel. His hands were shaking so hard that he had to take in several deep breaths to steady his nerves.
A cool shower was in order.
I just need to forget. He reassured himself and clutched both ends of his towel as he shuffled to the door.
Crossing the hall and entering the common room he saw Faye lounging on the couch, her face hidden behind a fashion magazine.
" I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to leave the command deck." She muttered.
Padding across the floor, lost in thought again, he didn't hear her call out to him and was startled when she suddenly grabbed hold of his shoulder.
" Hey! Would you hold on a second? I just-" And she froze, suddenly seeing his newest scar for the first time.
" Spike…"
He backed away, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and hating the look of pity he saw in her eyes when she finally met his gaze.
" Spike…" She tried again. " Is that what happened…?"
With a scowl he turned his back on her and continued on his way.
Faye stared after him, frozen in place as he entered the bathroom and shut the door.
The cities of Venus always made Jet wish he could leave as soon as he arrived. Despite its romantic symbolism the planet itself was a drag. The atmospheric domes couldn't change the fact that all the natural gases in Venus blocked out the sun's rays ninety percent of the time. So any "natural" light was created by an advanced regulator that worked in conjunction with the presence of terra-forming plants. But a growing number of residence fell ill with "Venus sickeness" and there wasn't much left to like of the place.
Jet made his way through the crowds, dusting off his shoulders from time-to-time. " Damn plant spores." He muttered and was happy to duck under the awning of the shop he came to visit. Have to remember to bring an umbrella next time. And he nodded to a woman who was busy dusting her shop's entrance with a broom. She scowled at him and went back inside.
Venusites were considered the most unhappy people in all the interplanetary cities and, in his opinion, even worse to bargain with. Several minutes later found Jet waiting to hear from the manager about the availability of certain parts for the Bebop. And as he sat waiting, wondering whether-or-not he could get the parts for a fair deal, he mulled over why he chose life as a bounty hunter.
I must have some kind of deep-set self-hatred. Why did I ever think bounty hunting was the best destiny for me?
After watching people come and go for several minutes he began to grow impatient. Five more minutes. If he doesn't come out here with a reply by then I'm hitting the junkyards and getting the heck out of here. He promised himself, glancing at his watch.
A few moments later the manager stepped up to the counter and waved Jet over. " Sorry for the wait. The order you want has already been placed." Upon seeing Jet's confusion the manager expounded. " See there's this old guy who lives in town who collects antiques and old parts. He came by earlier and I placed an order then. But he normally doesn't need all the parts that come so I can sell some to you for twenty-five percent off. And since the parts are already ordered I'll spare you the shipping and handling charges."
" R-really?" Jet was surprised. He would have to reconsider his former opinions about Venusites if the man was for real. " How late are you guys open?" He asked trying to figure out when would be a good time for him to return.
" At eleven. I can hold the extra parts for you. I just need to know when you would be coming back to pick them up."
" Really?" Jet gaped. " Yeah… Yeah that would be great!"
Finalizing his order he gave the manager a satisfied nod and headed back to the Hammerhead. The man must have moved into Venus recently. No way he grew up here. Jet reasoned to himself.
It wasn't until a half hour later when he sat down in Hammerhead's pilot seat that he realized his hunger. Maybe I should check and see if anyone else is hungry too. I can bring dinner and still make it back on time to pick up the parts. Happy that things were working out better than he had hoped he radioed the Bebop. But as he did so the screen suddenly flashed an error code.
" Huh?" And he leaned in closer. " Out of range?" Confused he double checked Bebop's location on the radar and frowned.
Faye sat quietly in the command deck staring out at the many stars that glittered just beyond the windows. But her eyes didn't see them. Her thoughts were on Spike.
How does he survive? She wondered.
Spike was tough and had many scars to prove it. That was no surprise. But what had been so shocking was the newest one he sported. And all the worry Faye had felt when he went missing returned.
Why does he always have to act so brave? She wondered. Wait-a-minute! And she sat up, suddenly hit with an epiphany. What if the problem is that he doesn't know how to be any other way? And she leaned back in the chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Maybe what he really needs is for someone to show him how to let his guard down once-in-a-while…
Of course that lunk head would have to set aside his pride for a while and admit that he needs help. She snorted to herself. Yeah right! Like that would happen. But then she began to think on it a bit longer. But whose to say that he wouldn't?... And its not like anyone can intimidate me. With resolve Faye rose to her feet and moved for the door when Bebop's communication monitor suddenly beeped. Freezing in mid-step she glanced back over her shoulder.
" Great." She muttered when the beeping didn't stop. Turning back she reluctantly pressed the answer button.
Jet frowned at her.
" Hey… what's wrong?" She asked immediately noticing his sour expression.
" What happened?" He demanded in a no nonsense tone.
" With what?"
" Why is Bebop no longer within radio contact from Venus?"
Faye stared back at him, perplexed. " How am I supposed to know?"
" You live there don't you?" Jet snapped, trying and failing to hide his growing impatience.
" What's with you?" Faye barked back. " Why are you complaining? You're able to contact us now aren't you?"
Jet took in a steadying breath. Faye was right. She wasn't responsible for Bebop's trek through the stars. That responsibility was given to… " Spike. Where is he?"
She shrugged. " I think he's taking a shower or something. Why? What's going on?"
Jet sighed wearily. " I wanted to bring everyone some dinner but now I can't because Bebop isn't on course and I can't find you guys."
" Well we couldn't have floated too far away, right?" Faye replied hopefully, her eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of dinner.
" Probably not but I can't wander too far from the atmosphere because I don't have enough fuel. Spike knew that. I left Bebop under his care. Can you go get him?"
With a sigh Faye nodded and turned for the door.
Spike bowed his head, trying to relax under the water pressure. Gently he ran his fingers over his newest scar and closed his eyes. But the flashbacks continued. Bracing himself he pressed both hands up against the shower wall.
Showers always worked before… why is today any different? Why can't I just forget?
His eyes burned with tears. He hated being so weak, so vulnerable, but at the same time … it felt good to let it out. The water pounded against his back and rolled down his face, merging with his tears along the way. And as he pressed his forehead against the wall he took in a trembling breath while the memories continued.
" You didn't have to drink that for me." Anne said softly, her gaze set on the framed photo.
Spike smirked, setting the empty glass on the counter and resealing the bottle with its cork. " Who said I did it for you?"
" He was right you know?" She said softly.
Spike looked at her questioningly.
" Mao was right about you." She clarified. " He said one day you would change. He was always talking about how people would see good things from you." Anne shook her head. " He was right. You're different… you've changed."
" We're all different and everyone changes." Spike replied quietly, looking at the photo and remembering the faces he once knew so well. " But change isn't always for the better, Anne."
" I know." She sighed wearily and turned her gaze on him. " That's why I don't want you looking for Vicious. Don't go looking for trouble. He's different… worse than I've ever seen him. And I'm not the only one that thinks so." And then her expression changed. " Hey by the way, have you heard from Julia?"
Spike looked down and away, briefly caught off guard at the sudden inquiry. For a moment he thought on what to say but Anne caught his meaning and shook her head apologetically.
" I was just wondering, is all. I hope she's safe… I hope she stays away from that kind of life, you know? And I'm glad you've been doing the same. I wish you would keep staying away."
" Anne…" Spike began and gently laid his hand over hers. " You worry too much."
She scoffed. " Yeah, well somebody's gotta worry about you, seeing as you don't have anyone doing so at the moment."
" Thanks for the drink." Spike continued as he stood up to go.
" Thank yourself. You took it." She replied and started muttering to herself about people coming back from the dead as she cleaned up the counter.
Spike turned and walked out, a smile on his lips.
The water was still warm but he felt goose bumps crawl up along his arms and legs and a moment later he was shivering. Gritting his teeth Spike squeezed his eyes shut and fought back another wave of nausea. Experience told him he was having an anxiety attack and he knew there was nothing left to do but suffer through it.
The smell of gunpowder and blood filled his nostrils. It was the scent of death. He turned to see Anne sitting on the bench under her storefront window. Just sitting there… sweating as if she had run a marathon. And then he looked down and saw the blood.
He was at her side before he knew what to say. But even as he inspected the wound and grabbed a towel to try and stem back the blood flow, he knew she couldn't be saved.
The scent of gunpowder was still fresh in the air. And he realized in that horrible moment that he had walked into a trap, dragging Julia in with him. All their dreams, all their hopes… everything was about to fall apart. And it would happen because of him.
A sudden pounding on the bathroom door jolted Spike out of his thoughts and he lifted his head from the wall.
" Spike!" Faye's muffled voice shouted to him from beyond the bathroom door. " Spike Jet's on the com speaker up in the control deck. He needs to talk to you. Spike! Are you listening to me?"
With a sigh he turned off the water and grabbed a towel, quickly drying himself off and securing it around his waist. He had to take a moment to lean against the wall, swallowing back the bile that rose to his mouth.
Just, calm down. He told himself. Keep it together or she'll see something's wrong.
" Spike?"
" I'm coming, Faye!" He shouted and opened the door.
She stepped back, carefully avoiding eye contact, as he stepped out into the hall.
" Did he say what he wanted?" He asked after an awkward moment.
Faye leaned against the wall with her arms crossed and shrugged. " Something about the Bebop moving off course and that he didn't have enough fuel to reach us."
Spike frowned. " We're off course? How did that happen?"
" I don't know!" She snapped defensively, finally meeting his gaze. " Jet asked me the same thing but I never touch Bebop's controls!"
Spike stared at her skeptically for a long moment before hurrying past. She watched him go, scowling at his retreating back.
Several minutes of frustration later…
Spike frowned at Jet's expectant face floating on the digital screen. " Jet, nothing's working. I don't know what's going on."
" Are you sure the connectors are attached right?"
" Yeah! I even triple checked! And the usual trick of bypassing the ground wires isn't working either."
Jet frowned. " Hm. That's not good."
For a few moments neither of them said anything, trying to think of a workable solution.
" And you said that Bebop's radar isn't working either, right?"
" Yup."
" Then the only possibility left is that there's a major problem with the outside panels."
Spike frowned. " But if that's the case we wouldn't have even been able to locate Venus."
" It's possible that the outside panels were already damaged and when we traveled through hyperspace…"
"… they got worse."
" Yeah." Jet sighed wearily. " Okay. Well, the next thing we need to know is Bebop's current location."
Spike nodded. " Right. Let me check the Swordfish. I can't fly it but I bet its radar is still good. If Swordfish can't find you on radar than we know that Bebop's more than two hours off course."
Jet smirked. " Good idea Spike-O."
Faye meandered into the control deck, a bored expression on her pretty face. " So you two find a solution yet?"
Spike shook his head without even looking at her and turned to leave.
" Where are you going?" She asked watching him hurry by.
" Talk to Jet, will ya? I've gotta go do something."
Faye blinked in confusion and turned to the digital screen.
" Problems?" She asked, feigning boredom.
" Always." Came the curt reply.
After ducking into his room to hop into a pair of sweatpants, Spike hurried into the hangar and climbed up into Swordfish. As he turned it on the ship groaned and rattled like an old man trying to stand after sitting for too long.
" Sorry baby." He apologized softly and petted the dashboard lovingly. " I promise you'll get fixed up once Jet gets back with your new parts. But until then… help us out here."
Spike switched on the radar and searched for Hammerhead's signal. For several moments there was nothing. And then, a faint echo… a small, empty beep. But even after several minutes of waiting the beeping remained faint. Spike frowned, concern wrinkling his forehead.
Cursing with a sigh he hailed Jet. The screen hissed and crackled for a few seconds before the screen blinked on.
" Spike, anything good?"
" Well, the good news is that I found you on radar."
Jet could see by the expression on Spike's face that all was not well. " And the bad news?" He prompted.
" Your signal is faint and growing dimmer by the minute."
" We're in trouble." Jet sighed. " If you guys are two hours away and if Bebop keeps going on its current course you'll float beyond the gates!"
" Maybe it won't be so bad." Spike replied, a wry smirk on his lips.
Jet wasn't in the mood for jokes. " No one travels that far into the Milky Way because of the meteor showers. Some of them are powerful enough to destroy military battleships."
Spike sobered. " You really think we're that close to floating beyond any help?" And he frowned. " Jet if that's true then…"
" Okay, okay." Jet interrupted, seeing Spike tense. " Look. Let's not panic until we've exhausted all options. We still don't know the full extent of the damage yet. Gear up and go outside. I want you to try and readjust the wiring in the circuit panels. Even if the damage is worst-case scenario the wiring for the engines should be imbedded deep enough that they didn't sustain serious damage."
Spike nodded, doing his best not to let his imagination run away with everything that could go wrong on such a little "trek" outside.
" I have extra wires stored away in the utility closet in my bonsai room. Take them with you should there be a few engine wires that need replacement. Once that's done you and Faye will have to work the boosters manually from the inside in order to get enough momentum to aim Bebop in the general direction of the gates."
Twenty minutes later…
Faye chewed on her bottom lip, pressing herself as close as she could against one of the command deck windows trying to see Spike as he worked.
A sudden flash of blue light startled her. She snatched up her com unit and hailed him. " What's happening now? Was that electricity?"
" Faye… I told you I'm fine. Look, just relay the questions I have to Jet and his answers to me. It's too complicated to be chit-chatting while I'm trying to keep Bebop's engine wires from burning out and leaving us stranded in space."
Faye pouted. " Fine! But don't get mad at me if you end up hurting yourself and needing assistance." She retorted before setting the com unit back down.
" Is he done replacing the wires yet?" Jet asked her.
" Almost, I guess. He didn't want me interrupting his important work with boring chit-chat."
" Huh?"
" That's what he said when I asked if everything's alright."
Jet sighed, shaking his head with disbelief. " Sheesh. Can't you two just stop bickering for an hour and act like adults? I swear it's like you're an old married couple or something!"
Faye frowned. " What? Me married to that lunkhead?" And she laughed mirthlessly. " Maybe you should go get something to eat after all, Jet."
" Yeah right. I'll eat once my heartburn calms down. No thanks to you two."
" Hey! What did I do?" She pouted.
Just then her com unit buzzed and her hand darted for it faster then she could think. " Yeah?"
" Ask Jet if it matters that one of the auxiliary connectors is too far gone to be repaired."
Faye frowned and looked at Jet's expectant face. " Okay, hold on. Jet, Spike wants to know if its bad that he can't fix some alliary connector thing."
" A what?" Jet asked, scrunching his face in confusion.
" Some kind of connector that starts with an 'a' and ends with an 'ary.'" Faye retorted, equally frustrated.
Jet mused on her strange speech for several moments before coming to a conclusion. " … you mean the auxiliary connectors?"
Faye nodded. " Yeah, that's it."
Even though the temperature out in space was cold Spike was feeling overheated in his space suit. For a moment the threat of claustrophobia threatened to overtake him. Pausing from his work he closed his eyes and took in deep, calming breaths.
Keep it together, Spike.
And as he willed himself to relax something suddenly flicked hard against his helmet's face shield. The impact startled him and he jumped, opening his eyes to see that the face shield had spider cracked in the upper right corner.
What the?...
Carefully he raised his hands up and felt all over the helmet checking for damage. With several waves of relief he started to relax again until another tiny fleck of something dinged against a metal shield panel only centimeters from the engine wires he had just repaired. Quickly glancing up he saw waves of blue and green light slithering above the Bebop's hull. Squinting for a better look Spike noticed streaks of golden flecks swirling within the waves like refined powder.
And suddenly his eyes widened and his heart pounded as he realized what he was seeing. With a surge of adrenalin he made for the nearest entrance back into the ship.
Faye frowned. " Ssh! Jet, hold on." And she looked up at the ceiling and then around at the walls.
" What's going on?" He asked.
" Something… there's a weird noise. What is that?" She replied distractedly.
A moment later her com unit buzzed. " What?" She asked, annoyed to be interrupted, even if it was Spike dying.
" Faye, open the emergency hatch!"
" Huh? Why?"
" What's going on?!" Jet shouted at her.
" Spike, hold on." Faye replied and didn't pay him any mind as he shouted back something desperate. Leaning down so that Jet could see her face she continued. " Spike says that he needs to get back inside now and that he wants me to open the emergency hatch."
" What? Why? What's wrong?"
Faye shrugged. " I don't know. Maybe he needs to pee or something."
" Faye, ask Spike if he-"
And suddenly Jet was gone, the screen blank.
Faye looked around in confusion as the ever-present hum of electricity died all throughout the ship.
" Hey! What's going on?" She asked to no one in particular and suddenly tensed when the sound she heard earlier returned louder and stronger than before. At first it reminded her of the sound rain makes when it lightly hits a window. But in a few moments it grew stronger resembling the sound of hail against a car roof.
" Jet? Jet?" She whimpered, suddenly frightened and feeling very alone. And then she remembered Spike. Grabbing her com she hailed him again.
" Spike! Spike!"
" Faye!" His voice had a tension in it she never heard before.
" Get me out of here! Open the emergency hatch already!!"
Nodding even though he couldn't see her do it, Faye started down the stairs and paused. " Wait-a-minute. Spike, I can't!"
" Why not?"
" Because all the power went out!"
" What?!"
" What did you do out there, Spike?"
" Me?! I didn't do anything! There's a dust storm coming our way and I don't want to be caught out here in the middle of it!"
" Well how am I suppose to get you inside?!"
" Listen! You're gonna have to open the emergency hatch manually. But leave a rope tied to the inside hatch so that there's something for me to grab on to!"
" Why? Can't you just walk in?"
Spike did his best to stay calm." Because when the outside hatch opens it will create a suction! I'll need something to hold onto while I close it. That's the only way it will be safe to open the inside hatch leading back into Bebop!"
" Oh." Faye replied as she hurried to the docking bay and over to a pile of ropes, snatching the closest coil in her hand. She had seen Jet and Spike use them to tie down heavy cargo shipments. " Okay, hang on. I have rope and I'm heading to the emergency hatch now."
Outside, stardust particle were quickly overtaking Bebop's mass. They swirled everywhere and Spike tore off a shield panel in an attempt to protect himself from the debris.
Pressing himself up against Bebop's side he angled his body so that he was able to open the outside hatch at Faye's go. It was a tricky thing to do with one hand occupied. The shield panel he held jerked him backwards every time a heavy wave of stardust hit it. With a grunt he hunkered down into a squat and waited.
Come on Faye hurry up!
The communication speaker in his helmet crackled for a moment. " Okay!" Faye exclaimed sounding a little bit winded. " I tied one of the ropes that you and Jet use for the cargo crates to the inside hatch. Just like you said. Now get inside!"
Without wasting another moment Spike turned the wheel on the outside hatch and pulled it open. But he wasn't ready for the strength of the backwards suction.
Faye watched in horror through a small, port window as Spike lost his grip and started hurtling into space head over heels.
" Spike!!" She screamed.
To be continued…
Opening Quote: Carl Gustav Jung